Recently l attended the training for youth leaders by Female Leadership Forum sponsored by Ford Foundation and l got into a discussion with the feild officer in charge of ensuring that we spread the gospel of proper electoral process in our various institution and something struck me as the guy was speaking
There is this profound believe that if you arenot agaist the government's policy one way or the other then you are not practicing anything that could be called civil society.
How true is this?
Cheers

After the impeachment of Alhaji Rashid Ladoja in OYO state so many of us who add strong ties to the state have been watching the unfolding events that has been taking place in the state...,during a heated argument between some young people in Ogbomosho today soeone mentioned that in 2004 Lagos state had a budget of 48 billion Naira while OYO had 38Billion,last year he said that lagos had 120+ billion Naira and Oyo had 45billion......???? is oyo really developing?


As these young people argue l begin to wonder what will happen when Ladoja is reinstated...,will there be a riot?....,is there going to be a state of emergency in the state?
These questions l cannot answer but as the reinstated Governor of Oyo State- Chief Rasheed Ladoja addressed the people of Oyo state, in his maiden speech broadcasted at about 7.00pm today Senator Ladoja called for calm and support of the governance system in Oyo State.

In his speech, he said “the battle for justice can never be won by might, in years of my existence I have always held democracy, equity and the rule of law dearly, I stand to adopt best practice and decency in order to give the best to our people’’.

‘’ The whole problem of Oyo state stemmed out of a desire to appropriate what belongs to all by few people. I stand that the mandate I hold is not a personal one and I will not hesitate to step on toes if I put the people first I believe I will fulfill my duties to God’’- Ladoja stated.

“I sought to lay a solid foundation for good governance in Oyo state, policies that will add values to lives of people, putting necessary infrastructures in the hands of the people, we are returning to the same ideal now that the battle has been won’’

‘’I believe strongly that it is in the atmosphere of peace that we can do the best, as we return we will pick up from where we left, I will continue to take decisions in the overall interest of the people’’.

This broadcast was made live on the states owned Radio and TV station.

I really hope that things would change for the better in the state and that young people whose future are being toyed with by the political uproar in the state would be able to look forward to a brighter and an enabling environment for success
Cheers

OYO State under new leadership
Translated into French by: (no name)

OYO State under new leadership
Translated into Turkish by: (no name)